Lucille E. Swartzendruber

WAYLAND - Lucille Elizabeth (Roth) Swartzendruber was born on May 25, 1929 in the family home near Wayland, Iowa and died on September 24, 2023 at Schowalter Villa, Hesston, Kansas. Lucille was the 9th child of Ben R. and Mary Roth. She attended the country school located in the Roth neighborhood, known as Douglas and from there, graduated from 8th grade. Unlike any of her siblings, she was determined to continue her education by attending Wayland High School, graduating in 1946. Following graduation, she attended a summer course at Iowa State Teachers College, Cedar Falls, IA, earning a temporary teaching certificate and then taught one year of country school at Douglas, her alma mater.

She married Edwin Swartzendruber, a friend from church, on June 6, 1948, on the lawn of her parents’ home. They were married for 55 years and lived nearly their entire married life, farming in Henry County, Iowa. In 1982 they moved to Olds, Iowa where they resided until relocating to Hesston, Kansas in 2003. In 1980, Lucille opened the Coffee Cup Café in Olds, Iowa, and remained in the restaurant business for 14 years until her retirement in 1994. Lucille and Edwin were lifetime members of the Sugar Creek Mennonite Church where they were involved in numerous activities and leadership positions. Following Edwin’s passing in 2003, Lucille continued to be active at Whitestone Mennonite Church, Hesston, Kansas. Lucille and Edwin were blessed with 3 daughters: Connie Sue (married to David Ganger) Elkhart, Indiana, Donna Jean (married to Dick Swartzendruber) Wellman, Iowa and Debra Ann (married to Clark Roth) Hesston, Kansas. Lucille was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, all eight of her siblings, and two infant grandchildren. Lucille is survived by her three daughters, 7 grandchildren: Michael Ganger, Amy Drayfahl, Kip Ganger, Rachel S. Miller, Alex Roth, Eyan Roth, Garrett Roth. And 14 great-grandchildren: Jackson, Carson, Halle, Oliver, Cannon, Sadie, Cade, Hannah, Ames, Emmitt, Preston, Treyton, Lucy, Kollyns. She was known as Aunt Lucille to forty-four nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 10:30 am at Whitestone Mennonite Church, Hesston, Kansas. The service will be live streamed at www.whitestonemc.com

Burial will take place at 9:00 am at the Sugar Creek Cemetery, Wayland, Iowa on Saturday, November 25, 2023, followed by a time to greet the family at the Sugar Creek Mennonite Fellowship Hall from 9:30 – 11:00 am. Memorial donations may be made to the Schowalter Villa Good Samaritan Fund, 200 W. Cedar, Hesston, KS 67062.

The Olson-Powell Chapel and Crematory in Mount Pleasant is in charge of local arrangements.